FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
Magnificent Me – supporting your child’s self-esteem and confidence
Self-esteem is the opinion we have of ourselves. Good self-esteem helps children to believe in themselves and their ability to try new things and face challenges. It impacts on every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate to what friendships we choose. Parents are pivotal to a child feeling accepted and nurtured. This feeling of acceptance ultimately enables a child to develop their own individuality and self-expression, which supports the development of a healthy self-esteem. Ways parents can support their child to develop a positive self-esteem are listed below.
Focus on strengths, while working on weaknesses
- Model good self-esteem and ways of coping with difficult situations
- Provide emotional support when mistakes are made and encourage them to keep trying
- Provide encouragement for effort made in learning new skills and trying new things
- Teach your child how to handle negative comments and harsh criticism
- Teach new skills (e.g. gardening) and demonstrate how to show persistence, as well as, to have positive thinking
For further information on self-esteem:
Your child’s self-esteem (kidshealth.org)
About self-esteem: children 1-8 years (raisingchildren.net.au)
7 ways to help your child develop positive self-esteem (understood.org)
The best self-esteem books for kids (happilyeverelephents.com)
Self-esteem and confidence kit (biglifejournal.com)
Wellbeing Week
Week 6 is ‘Wellbeing Week’ and this Term we are bringing our focus back to Kindness. Wednesday of Week 6 (Nov. 13th) is World Kindness Day and we will be making a school-wide effort to promote and encourage kindness in our community. Students will be invited to complete a ‘random act of kindness’ or unexpected kindness for another person in the school. As parents, we encourage you to join the movement and model kindness towards another and share your experience with your child. We look forward to sharing some highlights of World Kindness Day with you soon!
Anne Woodcroft-Brown
School Counsellor
